Creating Accessible Forms
Using Dreamweaver and FrontPage to Create Accessible Forms

Using Dreamweaver to Create Accessible Forms

Dreamweaver 4 does not have functionality to add additional accessibility features to forms. Form label tags, fieldset tags, and legend tags must all be done within the code. It even has a menu function that allows you to add a JavaScript driven, inaccessible jump menu, which uses a drop-down menu item for navigation.

While Dreamweaver MX still provides an option for adding the inaccessible jump menu, it does allow you to apply all of the other accessibility features for forms. Use the Insert > Fieldset menu to insert a fieldset. Dreamweaver MX will prompt you for the fieldset legend.

When accessibility features have been turned on for forms in the Preferences (Edit > Preferences > Accessibility > Forms), Dreamweaver MX will prompt you for a form label for each form item you add (Insert > Form Object). You can also choose whether to place the label before the form item or after the form item. Dreamweaver MX allows you to choose between the two methods of using the label tag to associate the label with the form item.

If the form is already created, you can easily associate the text with form controls. Just highlight the form control and its adjacent text then select Insert > Form Object > Label. Dreamweaver MX will automatically associate the text and the form control by inserting the correct <label> tag. To add label tags to other places within the page, select Insert > Form > Label and Dreamweaver MX will insert the <label> tag, though you must manually associate the label with a form control. This and other more advanced accessibility techniques must be accomplished within the Code View window of Dreamweaver.

Using FrontPage to Create Accessible Forms

Microsoft FrontPage also supports the form label functionality. To associate text and form controls, first create your form and get it working and laid out the way you want it. Be sure to place the text labels adjacent to the form control it is to be associated with. Select both the label and the form item and select Insert > Form > Label. FrontPage does not currently allow you to add fieldset or its accompanying legend. Text can be properly converted into a label only if it is adjacent to the form control. More advanced accessibility techniques for forms must be accomplished in HTML view.